Torch



April 1939- s. E. PETERS 2,155,238

TORCH Filed NOV. 5, 1937 'JMDMAA/W altar/19s and Patented Apr. 18, 1939UNITED STATES PATENTTOFFICE TORCH Stanley Earle Peters, Chicago, Ill.Application November 5, 1937, Serial No. 172,927

- 11 Claims. (01. 158-a5 This invention relates to improvements intorches.

One object of the invention is to provide a torch adapted for usinggasoline or other vaporizable fluid as a fuel, and so constructed that adefinite ignition or combustion zone is provided within a flame tube soas to insure adequate heating of the tube and by conduction of heat to afuel supply or vaporizing chamber to effect generation of gas which isconducted to the flame.

tube.

Another object of the invention is to provide a torch having a nozzle orflame tube into which preheated air is admitted at a point or pointstherein for admixture with vaporized fuel flowing thereto forestablishing a combustion zone within the tube, the arrangement beingsuch that the air is drawn into the tube by the flow of vaporized fuelthrough the tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide a torch of the wick-feedtype which can be adjusted for self-support in various positions forconvenience in use andwhich may be inverted, if desired, withoutinterruption of the flow of fuel to a flame tube. V

Other objects of the invention relate to various features ofconstruction and arrangement of parts, which will be apparent from aconsideration of the following specification and accompanying drawingwhereinr Fig. 1 is a broken side elevation of a torch embodying thepresent improvements;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view through theupper portion of the torch;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of an improved valve constructiontaken on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view through a flame tubeshowing a modified form of air induction and preheating conduit;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view ofa torch resting upon a support in angularposition.

In the drawing, I is a tank or receptacle for holding a supply of theliquid fuel, such as gasoline or other vaporizable fluid. The top of thetank is provided with a threaded passage for receiving a nozzle headindicated generally by the numeral ll, having a lower threaded portionl2 by means of which the head is detachably secured to the tank It). Thehead H comprises a tubular portion I3 into which extends a wickcarryingtube I 4, the wick being indicated by the numeral l5. The wick protrudesfrom the lower end of the tube #4 and up into the upper portion of thetubular member [3; The passage of member 13, which is indicated by thenumeral l3a, communicates at the upperendthereof with a horizontalgaseous fuel passage l6, as shown in Fig. 2, which inturn communicateswith a vertical passage H. A valve passage I 8 is provided ,in the endof the head for receivinga needle valve 10 I9 having an operatingknob'Zil, the stem of the valve passing through a conventional packingnut 2|. The'pointed end 22 of the valve can be retracted or movedforwardly by means of a threaded portion 23 for opening or closing avapor fuel 5 passage'in a valve seat 24, the passage 24a communicatingwith the interior of a flame tube 25.

It will be noted that the valve seat 24 seats snugly in the forward endof the valve passage I8 and that the needle point 23a of the valveoperates within the passage 24a of the seat. The surface 23b of theforward end of the valve stem, at the rear of the needle 23a, isshapedcomplementarily with reference to the valve seat surface 24d, asshown in Fig. 4, whereby, when the 5 valve is closed, an annularshoulder 230 of the stem engages the annular end 24c of the seat.Pressure exerted on the seat by the stem when the latter is tightlyclosed and the contraction of the surrounding metal of the head as itcools v causes the softer metal of the seat to be compressed or flowinto close contact with the needle point and thus maintain a precise fitbetween the needle 23a and the wall of passage 24a. whereby the flow ofgas can be nicely regulated. In other words, the arrangement is suchthatthe seat is re-seated around the needle by pressure exerted on theseat after each use of the torch, which greatly prolongs the properfunctioning ofthe valve over prior constructions where no compensationis made for the expanding and wearing action of the needle on its seat.It will be seen that fuel vaporized within the passage I3a may passthrough passages I 6, l1, and 240. into the interior of the flame tubeunder conr trol of the valve.

For the purpose of generating gas from the liquid fuel which rises inthe passage I 1a through the. wick I5, heat is conducted from the flametube to the portion 13 which in effect constitutes a vaporizing chamber.To insure an adequate suply of heat from the combustion of fuel flowingthrough the flame tube 25, arrangement is made for establishing anignition or combustion zone within the tube itself whereby an adequatesupply vaporizing chamber or passage I311.

combustion within the tube.

of heat from the tube is conducted to the generating or vaporizingportion of the head. It will be noted that the tube 25 is provided withopposite air intake passages 26 adjacent the rear end of the tube butforwardly of the valve passage 24. As fuel is injected into the'tube,some air is drawn through the ports 26 for admixture with the gas, butsuch ports are of insufiicient area to provide adequate oxygen forsupporting Forwardly of the ports 26 an additional pair of oppositeopenings or ports 21 is provided, extending through which;

transversely of the tube, is a tubular conduit 28 having an opening 28ain the forward face thereof, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The conduit28 may be a copper or like tube which, being open at its ends, admitsthe flow air air thereinto and the discharge of the same through theopening or port 280. directly into the stream of vathrough the flametube porized fuel passing The passage of the stream of fuel around theconduit 28 produces a siphonic effect which posie tively draws air intothe ends 'of the conduit, the quantity varying with the flow of thegaseous fuel through the'flame tube; This additional quantity of air issufficient to support combustion of the admixture of fuel and air withinthe flame tube. TI'his combustion zone lies just forwardlyof theairinduction conduit 28. Additional air inlets 29 and 30 arranged'inopposite pairs may be provided for admitting supplemental airin'to'the-tube. 1

It is important, however, that combustion take place within the tubeitself so that adequate heat from the tube 25 may be conducted to theThe vaporizationof the fuel by the heat builds up sufficientpressure toprovide an adequate stream of gaseous 'fuel through the passage '24 andthe projection of the flame Well beyond the forward, end of the flametube whereby the torch is adapted for the various purposes for "In Fig.5 of ing of the conduits "which blow torches commonly are employed. In

Figsaland 2, a shield 30a is shown attached to the flame tube forpreventing entrance of foreign matter through the air intake passagesprovided in the tube. v

the drawing a modified airinducrtion conduit is illustrated. Thisconduit, indicated by the numeral 3| is generallyshaped like the letterM. The conduit is disposed transversely of the flame tube 25 and has itslower ends. disposed within opposite openings 32 formed in the wall ofthe flame tube. The ends maybe spun over-to secure the conduit, in placeafter the legs of the tube have been compressed, to enable the ends tobe inserted throughthe openings. A plurality of air outlet ports 33 areprovided in the tube for delivering air into the stream of gaseous fuelflowing through the tube. The heat conductive contact of the conduit 3|,as well as of thepreviously described conduit 28, with the flame tubecauses a heatduring the operation of the torch, with resultantpreheating of airfflowing through the same into the fuel stream, andthus affords more complete combustion of the fuel. u v V I As shown inFig. 6, the tank l0-is provided with a surrounding band 34 connected byany suitable clamping device.35, to which a handle '36 is attached. Theband 34 is slidable cirhandle is shown disposed at approximately rightangles to the axial disposition of the flame tube. The torch can thus betilted back upon the edge of the base and supported in that position bythe end of the handle and the knob 20, the base, handle, and knobcooperating to providea three-point support. It is possible to, supportthe torch in numerous other positions also, whereby a user can adjust itas may be required in performing a particular operation which leavesboth his hands free. The torch can be held manually in completelyinverted position over protracted periods of time, if desired. The tubeM, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with openings Ma therein which admitliquid fuel tothe wick when the torch is inverted,

for attachment of a soldering tip'31 or the like, u

when desired. Other devices such as a'solder melting pot may also beattachedto the flame tube if desired.

In starting the torch, gasoline, alcohol, or

other'combustible liquid is poured upon the top wall lila of the tank H)where it is retained by the upwardly extending flange I01), and ignited.The heat generates gas within the passage l3a, also within the tank,.and upon opening the valve the vaporized fuel is ignited either by amatch or by the flames arising from the burning fuel on the top 1a.. Theflame in theflame tube thereafter supplies sufl'icient heat formaintaining an adequate supply of gaseous fuel" for the operation of thetorch; The conduction 'of heat from the flame tube to the vaporizing portion ll of the head and thence to the tank, except where the torch isbeing used under low temperature conditions, is adequate, for generatingsufiicient gaseous fuel for the operation of the torch. However, thewick elevates the liquid into the duct l3a where 'sufflcient' heat is 7tube heat conductively associated with said chamber for supplying heatthereto for effecting vaporization of fuel therein for delive-ry to saidtube, a wick for supplying liquid fuel to'sa id chamber fromsaidreceptacle, and an air induction member in said tube for preheatingair and supplying the same to the interior of 'said tube for supportingcombustion within the tube. 2. A torch comprising alliq'uidv fuelrecepta cle, a head connected thereto comprising a'ju'el vaporizingchamber anda communicating flame tube heat conductively associatedwithsaid chamber for supplying heat thereto for; effecting vaporizationof fuel therein, a valve for. con. trolling the flow of vaporizedfuelfrom said chamber to said tube, and. a ported airinduction conduitextending into said tubewhereby the flow of vaporized fuel past the sameinduces the flow of air through the conduit for admix- .ture with thefuel for supporting combustion within the tube.

3. A torch comprising a liquid fuel receptacle, a head connectedtherewith comprising a fuel vaporizing chamber and a communicating flametube arranged in heat exchange relation with respect to said chamber,means for supplying liquid fuel from the receptacle to said chamber forvaporization therein and discharge therefrom into said tube, and aported air supply conduit extending into the interior of said tube inair flow inducing relation with a stream of vaporized fuel therein forsupplying preheated air to the fuel stream for supporting combustionwithin the tube.

4. A torch having a flame tube, means for supplying vaporized fuel tothe same, and an air induction conduit arranged within said tube andcommunicating with the exterior thereof for admitting air thereto foradmixture with the vaporized fuel for supporting combustion within thetube.

5. A torch having a flame tube, means for supplying a stream ofvaporized fuel tothe same, and an air induction conduit having a portedportion disposed within the fuel streamv for delivering air to saidstream for admixture therewith.

6. A torch comprising a tank for liquid fuel, a head comprising a flametube carried by the tank, ducts for conveying fuel from the tank to saidtube, a valve for regulating the flow of fuel to said tube comprising astem projecting beyond the lateral limits of the tank, and a handle forthe tank adjustable circumferentially about the same and cooperable withthe projecting portion of said valve stem and a marginal portion of thebase of the tank to provide a three-point support for retaining thetorch in tilted position.

'7. A torch having a flame tube, means for supplying a stream ofvaporized fuel to the same, and an air induction conduit extending intosaid tube and communicating with the exterior for delivering air theretofor supporting combustion of the fuel within the tube, said conduitbeing arranged in heat absorbing position for effecting the preheatingof the delivered air.

8. A torch having a flame tube, means for discharging a stream ofvaporized fuel longitudinally into the same, and an air inductionconduit disposed in said tube in the path of said fuel stream and havingopen ends disposed in apertures in the wall of said tube and providedwith one or more air outlet passages in a side thereof remotefrom saidfuel-discharge means whereby the flow of fuel past said conduit inducesa flow of air into said conduit for discharge through said aperture 01'apertures into said fuel stream.

9. A torch nozzle for gaseous fuel provided I with an air preheatingconduit extending into the path of gaseous fuel flowing through the samefor inducing a flow of air through the conduit for delivery thereby intothe fuel stream for supporting combustion within the nozzle.

10. A valve for controlling the flow of fluid comprising a valve seat ofdeformable material having a valve passage therethrough a housing, forsaid seat provided with walls for supporting the seat, a valve stemhaving a needle point movable with reference to said passage forcontrolling the flow of fluid therethrough, and complementary surfacesformed on said seat and stem arranged to coact with the supporting wallsof said housing whereby the pressure exerted by the stem on the seatupon closing the valve tends to compress the wall of the passage intoclose contact with the needle.

11. A torch having a nozzle head provided with a valve passage thereinfor receiving and supporting a valve seat, a valve seat of deformablemetal in said passage having a needle orifice therethrough, a valvehaving a needle operable in said orifice for opening and closing thesame, and complementary formations in said seat and valve stem wherebythe pressure exerted on said seat by said stem and by the contraction ofthe head around said seat so compresses the latter as to effect acontraction of the same upon the needle. STANLEY EARLE PETERS.

